90 percent of Americans don't know when new insurance kicks in

Jennifer Pathak takes notes during a meeting held in 2010 in Salt Lake City by the Utah Health Policy Project to brief state advocates and stakeholders about what is to come in implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Though the new health insurance is on the horizon, 90 percent of Americans didn’t know when the exchanges open or when insurance would kick in.

Though the new health insurance is on the horizon, 90 percent of Americans don’t know when the exchanges open or when insurance would kick in, according to Bankrate.

On Oct. 1, 2013, Americans can enroll for the Affordable Care Act by phone or online. Coverage will then start on Jan. 1, 2014.

Through the Affordable Care Act, all Americans will have health insurance or else pay a fine. Forty percent of those surveyed said they expect the health insurance will have a major effect while 39 percent said the effects would be minor and 19 percent expect no effect.

“The main takeaway from this research is that a lot of people need to study up on health care reform and what it means to them,” said Laura Adams, senior insurance analyst for InsuranceQuotes.com. “We found a very inconsistent understanding of the Affordable Care Act, and we fear that many people will miss key deadlines and benefits because they don’t adequately understand the new law.”

Only 10 percent surveyed said they were very knowledgeable about the act. Twenty-one percent said they are not at all knowledgeable, 28 percent said they are not too knowledgeable and 39 percent said they are somewhat knowledgeable.

Popular Comments

I doubt even nancy has gotten around to reading the 2500 pages of garbage she
helped shepherd through the house.

11:09 a.m. April 4, 2013

Top comment

DN Subscriber 2

SLC, UT

Heck, the folks trying to write the regulations to implement this monstrosity do
not even know what will be required, let alone provided when the law becomes
effective. And, since they have been so slow to write the regulations, few of
the companies
More..

12:09 p.m. April 4, 2013

Top comment

Kellie

Orem, UT

The Powers that be are making no effort to educate the public about the new law
because people will freak out when they see that each family regardless of their
income will have to pay $14,000.00 in insurance premiums annually or pay a fine
of $350
More..